Category:
Fantasy
Publisher: Hampton Roads
ISBN-10: 157174449551695
Type: Fiction
Pages: 342
Copyright: Jan 2, 2006
ISBN-13: 1571744495
Price: $3.99 (eBook)
A forgotten family legacy.
Six crystal keys.
One shot at unlocking the secrets beneath the Sphinx.
Anne Le Clair, a successful, young attorney, has always managed to remain free from her family’s gothic past—until now. When she inherits her eccentric aunt’s antique necklace though, she finds no escape from its secrets.
Anne is immersed in a crash course of forbidden wisdom, secret societies, and her family’s own legacy. She soon discovers that her aunt’s necklace is one of just six powerful “keys” that, when combined with the other five at the appointed time, unlocks the legendary Hall of Records. However, another group, the shadowy Illuminati, is working behind the scenes to uncover the same powerful secrets—and make them their own.
Filled with richly drawn characters and exotic locales, Under the Stone Paw is a classic page-turner effortlessly carrying us from a time before Jesus and Mary Magdalene sought to free humanity to our own time when a consortium of powerful individuals threaten to control it.
- A finely-crafted, engrossing debut that will delight and satisfy fans of The Da Vinci Code.
- A thrill ride from the upper crust of New York society to the forbidden tunnels underneath the Sphinx.
- Updates the standard male hero with a young heroine confronting her family’s mysterious past.
Katherine Kurtz, author of the Adept series, says “ . . . one of the best esoteric novels of the past decade. Crater knows her way around Egypt and its mysteries. Evil Illuminati, ancient artifacts, and conspiracies abound. Surpasses the Da Vinci Code."
Excerpt
“I had these weird dreams last night, and Aunt Cynthia left me this odd necklace as a gift with a very peculiar note.”
Thomas glanced around. The tables nearest them were empty. “Tell me what happened. I want to hear about the note and the crystal. Please. This is very important.”
“How did you know it was a crystal?”
Thomas ignored the question. “Tell me what happened.
Anne relayed the story of the crystal necklace, the note from Cynthia and the faces she’d seen sitting before the fire. When she finished, Thomas studied her for a long time. “Say something. You’re making me nervous.”
“Actually, that might be an appropriate response to this development.”
“What do you mean?”
Thomas squared his shoulders. “You need to make a decision and you need to make it quickly. You’ve always told the family you wanted nothing to do with our legacy.” Anne started to speak, but he interrupted her. “Hear me out. If you keep this crystal, then you’ll have to learn what it’s for and how to use it.”
“Use it? It’s just a necklace.”
“It is far more than a necklace, my dear sister. You’ve already had a vision using it.”
“Vision? I fell asleep on the couch.”
“Oh, right.” He looked around again, then lowered his voice. “If you don’t want to take on the responsibility of being the keeper of this crystal, then you must give it to Grandmother Elizabeth immediately. If you keep it like some bauble in your jewelry case, your life may be in danger.”
“My life?”
“Quiet.” Thomas looked around again.
Anne lowered her voice. “Make sense. How can a necklace threaten me?”
“I’m sorry, Anne. I want to tell you, but we can’t talk about this here.”
Anne sat back in her chair. “What’s the big deal?”
“Are you staying at the estate after the party?”
“I always do.”
“Good. We can talk Sunday. I think Grandmother will want to join us. Is that okay with you?”
“What is the big deal?” Anne repeated more emphatically.
“I’ll tell you then. Meanwhile, just leave the necklace in its case.”
Anne sighed.
“And don’t tell mother.”
“For God’s sake—”
“Please.” Thomas watched her earnestly.
“Oh, all right. But I think Mother is right. The family has damaged your common sense.”
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